LIBERAL LAWMAKER EDGES OPPONENT …
Liberal “Republican” S.C. Rep. Stephen Goldfinch fought off his scandal-scarred past – and his former ally, governor Nikki Haley – to claim victory in a bitter State Senate runoff election against his former law partner.
Goldfinch beat social conservative Reese Boyd in the GOP runoff election for S.C. Senate district 34 (map here) on Tuesday. According to the S.C. Election Commission, he received 2,798 votes (52.5 percent) compared to Boyd’s 2,535 votes (47.5 percent).
Two weeks ago, Goldfinch edged Boyd by less than two percentage points in a four-way primary contest. Because neither of the candidates received a majority of ballots cast, the race advanced to a head-to-head battle between the top two vote-getters.
Goldfinch’s race was yet another defeat for Haley and her political action committee – which posted a dismal record in legislative races this year.
Haley endorsed Goldfinch over Democrat Vida Miller in the November 2014 general election for S.C. House district 108 (map here) – but fought against him this go-round.
“I’ve never been more disappointed in a legislator than in Stephen Goldfinch,” she said earlier this year.
Voters didn’t care.
With no Democratic opposition this November, Goldfinch is now a shoo-in to replace liberal “Republican” Ray Cleary (who endorsed him as his successor).